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Abstract: A bacteriological study of three ponds in Uegwere Bo-ue community, Khana Local Government
Area, of Rivers State, Nigeria were investigated to evaluate the water quality of the ponds. Surface water
samples were collected monthly for eight months covering both seasons and evaluated. Bacteriological analyses
carried out includes: total heterotrophic bacteria counts(THBC), Total coliform counts(TCC), feacal coliform
counts(FCC) and other water borne pathogens. The results of this study reveal high THBC, high TCC and FCC(
Escherichia coli). The THBC which ranged from 1.7 x 105 to 6.5 X 107 CFU/ml for pond A, Pond B 1.3 X 105 to
2.5 X 107 CFU/ml while pond C had 2.2 X 104 to 4.0 X 106CFU/ml. Total coliform bacteria for pond A ranged
between 120 and 1560MPN per 100ml of sample , 87 and 900MPN per100ml for pond B and pond C ranged
702 to 1200MPN per100ml. Faecal coliform ranged between 350 to 662MPN, 124 to 420MPN 120 to 280MPN
per 100ml. Bacteria of public health importance like E. coli, Salmonella sp and Shigella sp were also detected,
which suggests possible faecal contamination. Higher bacterial loads were observed in the rainy than the dry
seasons. The frequency of occurrence is as follows: E. coli 17%, Salmonella 14.5%, Streptococcus 4.4%,
Bacillus 9.4%, Pseudomonas 8.7%, Micrococcus 5.8%, Shigella 7. 3%, Enterobacter 11%, Klebsiella 5.8%,
Proteus 3% and Staphylococcus 13%. With pond A having the highest bacterial population, while pond C had
the least both in the rainy and dry seasons. Statistically, there are no significant differences (P<0.05) between
all studied locations. From the results of this investigation, theres need to monitor the water quality from time
to time to detect the actual source of contamination and also to pass the water through a form of treatment to
prevent epidemic outbreak, since the values obtained are far above the WHO and SON(Standard Organisation
of Nigeria) guidelines for water intended for domestic use. Theres need for pre- treatment before use for
domestic purposes.
Keywords: pondwater, coliform, contamination, indicator organisms.
I.
Introduction
Water used for drinking and other domestic purposes in most communities are obtained from natural
sources such, as rivers, streams, lakes, ponds and springs, or artificial sources such as wells and boreholes. Most
times these water supplies, particularly, streams, rivers, lakes, ponds and wells are likely to be polluted with
wastes. And the microorganisms in these natural sources, are numerous in both numbers and diversity[1].
Microbial populations of surface waters are composed of indigenous and transient populations, since surface
water are open to contamination from various sources.
A pond is referred to as a man-made or natural water body which is between1m2 and 20,000m2 in area
(2 ha or -5 acres ) in area, which holds water for at least four months of the year or all year around depending on
geographic locations[2]. Is also a body of standing water, either natural or manmade that is usually smaller than
a lake.They may arise naturally in floodplains as part of a river system, or they may somewhat be isolated
depressions. The type of life in pond is generally determined by a combination of factors including water level
regime(particularly depth and duration of flooding) and nutrient levels, but other factors may also be important,
including presence or absence of shading by trees, presence or absence of streams, effects of grazing animals,
and salinity[3]. Pond waters are also facing pollution just like other water bodies are getting polluted due to
discharge of effluents from various industries, domestic waste, land and agricultural drainage resulting in the
degradation of water quality of these water resources [4].
In human health, water plays a very important role and quality of the water supplied is important in
determining the health of individuals and the whole communities. Safe water quality is a major concern with
reference to public health importance as health and well being of the human race is closely tied up with the
quality of water used [4]. Recently, epidemics of cholera have been reported from different parts of the World,
including India, Nigeria (Anambra State) and Zimbabwe. The outbreak was caused by Vibrio cholera 01
isolated from municipal taps and wells [ 5]. Outbreaks of typhoid fevers and dysentery were linked to unsanitary
mixing of some water supplies and sewage. WHO [6] has also reported that, 80% of sicknesses and deaths
among children in the world are caused by unsafe drinking water. On the average, every 8 seconds in the
world, a child dies of water related diseases ( from contaminated water).
DOI: 10.9790/2402-09223641
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II.
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III.
Results
The total heterotrophic bacteria counts ranged from 1.7 x 105 to 6.5 X 107 CFU/ml for pond A, Pond B
1.3 X 105 to 2.5 X 107 CFU/ml while pond C had 2.2 X 104 to 4.0 X 106CFU/ml. It was observed that the
bacterial counts were higher in the rainy season than the dry season. Total coliform bacteria for pond A ranged
between 120 and 1560MPN per 100ml of sample , 87 and 900MPN per100ml for pond B and pond C ranged
202 to 1200MPN per100ml. Faecal coliform ranged between 350 to 662MPN, 124 to 420MPN 120 to 280MPN
per 100ml. A total of eleven bacteria genera were isolated from the three ponds during the period of study,
which includes; Salmonella, Escherichia, Streptococcus, Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Micrococcus, Shigella,
Enterobacter, Klebsiella, Proteus and Staphylococcus. Of these isolates E. Coli had the highest frequency of
occurrence of 17%, while Proteus sp had the least of 3%. Table 1, displays the frequency of occurrence. A total
of eleven bacteria genera were isolated from the three ponds with the following percentage of occurrence; E.
coli 17%, Salmonella sp 15%, Streptococcus sp 4%, Bacillus sp 9%, Pseudomonas sp 9%, Micrococcus sp 6%,
Shigella sp 7%, Enterobacter sp 11%, Klebsiella sp 6%, Proteus sp 3% and Staphylococcus sp 13%.
Table 1: Genera of Bacteria isolated and their
Percentage Occurrence
Isolates
Escherichia
Salmonella
Staphylococcus
Enterobacter
Bacillus
Pseudomonas
Shigella
Micrococcus
Klebsiella
Streptococcus
Proteus
Occurrence(n=138)
24
20
18
15
13
12
10
8
8
6
4
IV.
Frequency
of
Occurrence(%)
17
14.5
13
10.8
9.4
8.7
7.3
5.8
5.8
4.4
3
Discussion
Under normal circumstances, water intended for human consumption should not contain chemicals or
any microorganism known to be pathogenic or any bacteria whose presence indicates faecal pollution. Water
can be perfectly clear, odourless and tasteless and yet unsafe for drinking ( 15, 16, 17). Based on the WHO and
SON guidelines, the pond water is not fit for human consumption. In the same way, water used for washing and
bathing should not contain more than 50 coliform bacteria per 100ml of water ( 18 ). The results of this
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V.
Conclusion
From the results of this investigation, theres need to monitor the water quality from time to time to
detect the actual source of contamination and also to pass the water through a form of treatment to prevent
epidemic outbreak, since the values obtained are far above the WHO and SON guidelines for water intended for
domestic use. Theres need for pre- treatment before use for domestic purposes.
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8
7
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1
0
A
Sampling Locations
Fig. 1: Seasonal Changes in the level of THBC
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Coliform index/100ml
1200
1000
800
600
400
200
0
A
Sampling location
700
600
500
400
FC Dry Seasom
300
FC Wet Season
200
100
0
A
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